Up and Up

by Shirley Hughes

This wordless pictures book tells the magical story of a little girl whose wish to fly finally comes true, much to the alarm of the grown-ups.

Genres: Picture Books, Adventure, Childrens, Fantasy

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Shirley Hughes is the illustrator of more than two hundred children’s books and has won many prestigious awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal twice. She is the author-illustrator of DON'T WANT TO GO! and OLLY AND ME 1 2 3. She died at her home in London on the 25th of February, 2022.

Reviews

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful wordless comics I've ever 'read'. Think Little Nemo with an uplifting story arc. Then fly right out of the frame.

[Amy Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated story that bought a smile to my face. Using only illustrations, Hughes still manages to tell an engaging story that takes you inside the fascinating world of children's imagination. This book could be used with any age in a variety of ways, including upper kS2 who could do work around adding words to the story, or in converting a story they had written previously into pictures alone. A book with only pictures with a huge amount of potential.

[Alice Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book illustrated in the style of a comic strip and it contains no words. Not only does this make it an easy book for younger children to read, but it allows their imagination to create the story. When reading this, I would be asking my class lots of questions such as: "What do you think will happen next, and what would happen if you could all fly? What would you do?". This would stimulate children's interest as they will enjoy being able to think about their own version of the story. This book could also be used in conjunction with 'Bear in the Air' as share similar themes. I could also ask my children to think about the best way you could make something and plan an investigation around, as a way into introducing early Science.

The book may appeal to reluctant early readers and spark their interest because it is a humorous text and there is a lot to talk about with each other.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminded me of the book Peter Pan - how the character is able to fly and explore the world.

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is all pictures, no words, and thus no barriers, so it's all good. Basically it's about a young girl who can't possibly fly on a hot air balloon, so she comes up with an idea all on her own, as all girls should and often do: she levitates above the ground, flying on her own power, like Supergirl, if you catch her on CW as played by the Glee girl. She causes mischief with her airborne abilities, and admit it, what girl wouldn't find it fun? It causes, though, one very worried man to hop on a real balloon and try to bring her safely to earth. (Guys worry over a girl's safety. It's a guy thing cos, well, guys sometimes care!) Funniest part is when the bratty girl decides she'd rather not be spied on or hampered by some guy on a balloon and rips off a piece of a TV antenna and pops the balloon. Soon as the guy lands safely, she comes up to the guy and shakes his hand by way of apology. Awww! A classic book for all ages that show you can't keep a good girl grounded if she wants to fly. Get the meaning? Good.
Four stars
Up up and away in a beautiful balloon book that rocks!

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I think it's a good book to introduce to children who don't necessarily enjoy reading, or as an alternative to a 'traditional book' (with words). As many of the other reviews have stated, this book has no words and is set out in a comic style, with simple black illustrations.

I think this is a useful book for 'book talk' because the lack of words and simple layout allows for children to interpret the storyline in their own way. For example, you could ask the class how they would learn to fly, you could ask who they think the girl is, what's her name, where's she from etc to create their own (perhaps more relatable novel). You could ask your class what they think might happen next, or how they think the story will end. At the end of the story you could come up with alternative endings. You could ask the class what you think each character is thinking or feeling throughout. I feel like the lack of words allows for children to really let their imagination 'run wild'! Huge scope for discussion as a class/peer group etc.

[Sophie Snowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful wordless picture book which tells the story through monochrome illustrations about a magic chocolate egg which makes the main character, a little girl, fly. When her parents (and possibly grandparent) try to catch her, she just keeps flying higher and higher. So the last resort is to try and catch her in the hot air balloon. A great story tole in detail through lovely illustrations. I really enjoy Shirley's books and illustrations. I think they are really well written (drawn).

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting because the picture were back and white with bold outlines. The book was set out like a storyboard with the picture following each other. I enjoyed the plot because I thought it was interesting to see how the girl was excited about flying and tried a variety of things until she could fly.

[Iqra Fiaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magical story that brings everyone into the life and mind of children. It reminds us to think outside the box and not limit our ability to do something.
I enjoyed the book because it made me reminiscent of my own childhood and the adventures I would have, made all the more exciting by my imagination.

[Capn]

"Up and Up, Shirley Hughes, Bodley Head, 0 370 30179 X, £3.50.
A small girl finds that she is able to fly and proceeds to lead a mob of astonished adults a merry dance around the town until she comes to earth with a bump. An enchanting story, told without words, and illustrated with humorously detailed drawings." Books for Keeps, 7 March 1981

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do we really need words for this book? This is an greatly illustrated, imaginary tale of a girl who wants to fly (and yes she did fly). I enjoyed how the author made use sequential art to drive this book without any word to drive this simple story.

Read the book here:
Up and up

[Courtney Bursnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I myself smiling throughout this book and really enjoyed it! It plays on the use of images to create a powerful story. It was very funny watching the little girl finally be able to fly and causing lots of mayhem, but finally reaching her goal- even popping a hot air balloon!

[Sophie Hearn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, wordless book about a little girl whose trying to fly. She tries different ways of going up in the air.

Its a wonderful opportunity for children to explore the setting and scene of each page while following along the story, even if they struggle with reading.

[Jamie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

extremely adorable "wordless" book about a girl wishing to fly.

beautiful pictures.

[LudmilaM · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Art style exquisitely beautiful.

[Jane Scholey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shirley Hughes is such an interesting author. I will always love her illustrations as they remind me of childhood. This is an interesting look at a child's imagination.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[Joel Bedulla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this little book in my school library.

The illustrator had a beautiful idea and a good grasp on how perspective from above works. Felt like I was also flying with the girl.

[Big Book Little Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen for www.bigbooklittlebook.com

When we borrowed this from the Nursery School Library my daughter (3 and a half) was most disconcerted when we got it home and realised there were no words in it. However once we began to look at it she was captivated by the enchanting drawings that tell the story.

A little girl watching birds longs to fly and when a magical egg gives her that chance she grabs it. Through the pictures we follow her on her exciting adventure, flying around the kitchen and then out into the garden and beyond to the street, over tree’s and away. The little girl is exhilarated by her new ability, her parents are a little concerned! They follow after her, as much as they can and are soon joined by a stream of people looking at the girl in the sky. She is keen to escape capture and leads them all a merry dance until, after evading nets and a hot air balloon, she finally comes down again having had an unforgettable time.

The lovely thing about this is that every time we tell it, it is a little different and every different person who tells it brings something fresh. The wealth of detail in the pictures encourages the use of more than a little imagination and it was particularly special to see my older daughter ‘reading’ this to my younger one and also the younger one’s pleasure in being able to tell us the story.

Verdict: This was a very popular book with my children and encouraged them to engage with a book in a different way. Brilliant!

[Glenn J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun wordless book.
A girls fun flight of fancy,
Imagination.

#Haiku_Review

[Resmi Ambarish]

Super